Apparatus for the dyeing and other treatment of textile fibers in the loose state



JOHN BRANDWOOD, THOMAS BRANDWOOD, AND JOSEPH BRANDWOOD.

APPARATUS FOR THE DYEING AND OTHER TREATMENT OF TEXTILE FIBERS IN THE LOOSE STATE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 14, 192i.

Patented 0st. 17, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

A/Iorng.

JOHN'BRANDWOOD, THOMAS BRANDWOOD, AND JOSEPH BRANDWOOD.

APPARATUS FOR THE DYEING AND OTHER TREATMENT OF TEXTILE FIBERS IN THE LOOSE STATE.

' v APPLICATION FILED III/W14. I92I.

1,432,319 Patented Oct. 17,1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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APPLICATION FILED MAY 14, I92].

Patented. (m. 17, 11922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

1L,4L32,819u

W M m w Patented @ct. 11?, T1922.

UNHTED STATES JOHN BRANDWOOD, THOMAS BRANDWOOD, AND JOSEPH BRANDWOOD, 01F ELTON, BURY,

Taaaae PATENT oTTTcT.

ENGLAND.

APPARATUS FOR THE DYEING AND OTHER TREATMENT OF TEXTILE EIBERS IN THE LOOSE STATE.

Application filed may 14,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN BRANDwooD, THOMAS BRANDWOOD, and JOSEPH BRAND- wooD, subjects of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, and residents of Elton, Bury, in the county of Lancaster, England, have invented certain Improvements in the Apparatus for the Dyeing and Other Treat ment of Textile Fibers in the Loose State that is, Prior to Carding and Spinning, of

v which the following is a specification.

In the methods at present commonly in use for the dyeing with liquids of cotton and other fibrous textile materials, in the loose state, that is, before carding and spinning operations have commenced, the loose material is either put into a dye or other tank and moved about therein by rotating arms or other analogous means to ensure that the liquor will reach all parts ofthe mass, or the loose material is compressed in any convenient receptacle and the liquor forced through the compressed mass. It follows from such handling that the fiber is considerably deteriorated, the cotton wax, which is an important factor in the quality of the subsequent spinning, is destroyed, the staple is shortened, and the material is matted together, causing further deterioration in the subsequent separation. The treatment of compressing the material or rotating the loose material in the bath, besides resulting in deterioration of the fiber as mentioned also consumes time and necessitates extra labour, thus lessening production and increasing costs. Further, it is difiicult to guarantee that in dyeing onebatch of dyeing will be of the same shade as another batch, and more important still, it is impracticable by the means at present in use to dye loose material satisfactorily with the oxidation, azo, or basic colours.

The object of our invention is a process of and apparatus for dyeing which will obviate the disadvantages enumerated above.

In carrying same into effect we take the material after the cleaning operation and in flat and compact form, say as it comes from the lap scutcher in the form of laps, and pass it between" two open meshed or open woven conveyor belts, in several laps, thickness, around perforated cylinders or over the perforated tops of closed chambers situated 1921. Serial No. 469,727.

in the dye bath and below the level of the dye liquor in such a manner that the conveyors and material borne thereby, passing as a single thick belt around such perforated cylinders or over such perforated tipped chambers, make a liquid tight joint therewith, the dye liquor being drawn through such belt of material by means of pumps from the dyebath to the interior of the perforated cylinders or closed chambers and returned to the dyebath or drawn from the dyebath to the interior of the perforated cylinders or closed chamber and thence forced through the cylinder walls or closed chamher top and through the material back to the dye bath. Or the dye liquor, may be drawn and also forced through the material successively in the same apparatus. Similar means may be used for oxidizing where such operation is necessary, the dye pump in this case being of course substituted by an air pump and the same process may be applied to the final washing off with washwater, the Whole process from the feeding of the material into the dyebath to the final strippingfrom the conveyor of the dyed and otherwise treated material being continuous. In order to ensure level dyeing in such continu ous process we may use 111 connection therewith automatic means for supplying measured quantities of dye liquor to the dyeing apparatus, such supply being regulatable' and ceasing when the passage of material through the dyeing apparatus ceases.

We will now fully describe a convenient method of carrying our process into effect, in an apparatus arranged as a general purpose apparatus wherein materlal' may be treated with sulphur colours, oxidation, azo or basic colours at will, and in which apparatus the dyeing, any necessary oxidizing, and the necessary washing off process may be effected, as a continuous operation. From such description the application of any treatment with liquor or air of fibrous material in the loose state, that is, previous to spinning, will be understood. The drawings are diagrammatic, and are not to any particular scale.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in secthe feed end of the apparatus at the rightv hand side thereof;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 2 is a plan view of the portion shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line U--V of Figure 1,

Fig. 4, is a view partly in cross section on the line W-X of Figure -1.

Fig. 5. a cross section on line Y-Z of Fi ure 1,

ig. 6. shows a method'of guiding the conveyors and keeping them stretched transversely.

Fig. 7. shows a detail of Figure 6 to a larger scale.

Fig. 8. shows the automatic means for supplying dyestufi' in calculated quantities to a dyebath.

Fig. 9. shows a modification of the Figure 5; and

Fig. 10. a portion of the material preferably used for the conveyor.

In the drawings Figure 1 and Figure 2, 1 is an upper conveyor composed of open meshes material preferably of open woven cloth such as a brattice cloth across which flat stiffening rods are secured: at intervals. This construction is very effective in preventing stretching or deformation of the conveyor as a whole as the' transverse rods crossin it at intervals and preventing transverse s rinkage, longitudinal stretching is also prevented. A. portion of such a form of belt is shown in detail in Figure 10. The conveyor belt passes over the apparatus in the direction shown by the arrows and enters the said apparatus around the roller 2. 3 is a similar conveyor belt, passing below the apparatus and entering it around the roller 4. The two endless belts thus converge and enter the apparatus together through the nip of the rollers 2 and 4, traverse the interior of the apparatus together, and, diverging, leave it respectively over the rollers 5 and 6 to return to the feeding point 2-4. Guide rollers 7 are provided for the upper and lower conveyors and also tensioning rollers 8 adapted to move freel in a vertical slot 9 in the two tensioning rames 10, the conveyors 1 and 3 thus being kept in continual tension by gravity acting upon the tensioning rollers 8.

11, 11 indicate screws provided with hand wheel or like manipulating arrangements adapted to move one roller 7 of each of the tensioning frames for adjustment purposes when necessary. Adjustable bearings .of this type are well known and they need not be further described.

12, indicates a table having fitted thereon the endless lattice feed 13, and provided with, raised sides 14 (Figure 2) having vertlcal open bearings adapted to receive the ends or necks 15 of lap rods each bearing a lap 16 as it comes from the scutcher frame. In the figure five laps are shown in position on the table 12, but it is obvious that the table may be adapted to take any convenient veyors travel in the directions indicated by the arrows and enter the apparatus as before mentioned through the nip of the rollers 2, 4. The material of the laps however, superposed as stated, has been brought to the roller nip 2, 4 and thus enters between the conveyors 1, 3, the subsequent traverse of the conveyors through the apparatus drawing the material into the apparatus between the said conveyors and securely held between the latter until they diverge on leaving the interior.

The apparatus shown in the drawings is adapted for dyeing with various dyestuffs and for convenience and clearness we will describe firstly the dyeing of loose cotton material in the lap form with a direct colour without after-treatment except w ashing off. The material having entered the apparatus between the conveyors 1, 3, is held between said conveyors while it passes around a cylinder 22 fitted transversely in a tank A filled with dye liquor, prepared in a suitable manner. (See also Figure The parts of the conveyors 1 and 3 between which the material is held during its passage through the apparatus are hereinafter referred to as. the container 1-3. The cylinder is perforated, and the container 1-3 is tightly held against the periphery thereof by the pressure rollers 23. A plate 24 is fitted longitudinally to the cylinder 22 over that part which is not covered by the container in its transit around the cylinder 22, in such a manner that there will be space for the container to pass between the edges of said plate and the two highest pressure rollers. The interior of the cylinder 22 communicates by a pipe 25 with a rotary suction pump 26 of any suitable type which pump is drivenby the strap pulley gearing 27 The pump being started and the container passing around the cylinder 22, dye liquor is drawn through the material into the interior of the cylinder through the perforations, and is delivered to the 'pump through pipe 25' to be returned by pipe 28 to the dye tank A. After passing around the cylinder 22 the container with its contained material passes as shown to and gearing similar to those of cylinder 22, and indicated by the same reference letters with the addition of the index letter a, 26 being a pressure pump. The treatment of the material as it passes over cylinder 29 is by pressure of the liquor through the material, but if desired the process that is, the pump 26 draws the dye liquor from the tank A, and forces it by the pipe 25, the interior of the cylinder 29, and the perforations therein through the material and thus back to the tank. Treatment of the material in two directions is thus effected, ensuring thorough and even dyeing. From the cylinder 29' the container passes through rollers 17, 17 by which all surplus dye liquor is expressed therefrom, this surplus falling back into tank A. From the rollers 17, 17, the container may pass into tank B and between the flat top of a closed chamber 30 and pressure rollers 31 which although part of the general dyeing apparatus are not operated for the particular class of dyeing now in question and will be fully referred to and described later. The container then passes through the nip of a further pair of rollers 17 and into tank C.

The cylinders 22 and 29 are positively driven by means of a chain drive as shown in the drawings. They are mounted in bear ings in the tank A in such a manner that the dye liquor may pass freely to or from their interior. Such bearings are well known, and any suitable known form may be used.

In the tank C Figures 1, 2 and 5 are fitted two closed chambers 32, 33 each of which is provided with a flat top, the latter being perforated, and guide rollers 34 so arranged that the container passing therearound must I pass horizontally in its traverse of the chamher, over the aforesaid flat tops and in tight contact therewith. Guide plates 36 are provided as shown in Figure 1 between the guide rollers. This tank, in the operation under discussion is the washing ofi' tank and is filled with the water, which may be acidulated in any usual manner. The operation of washing ofi' will be more clearly understood by a reference to Figure 5 in conjunction with the main Figure 1. In the figure 35 is a rotary pump which through pipe 37 draws the wash water from the tank 0 through the container and material passing over the flat perforated top of chamber 33 and the pump then delivers the said wash water through pipe 38 to the interior of chamber '32 and forces it via the perforations through that part of the container and material passing along the top of chamber 32. The Wash water is thus passed through all. parts of the dyed material in two different directions by suction'and by pressure. Instead of the arrangement of pump shown in Figure 5 we may employ that shown in Fig.

8. In this latter figure, similar letters of reference indicate similar parts as those in Figure 5, with the addition of the draining ofl' pipe 35 and three way valve 35*. In this modification the wash water proceeds from the pump 35 into chamber 33 in the direction of the arrow the valve 35 being open to the pump and chamberand closed to the drain, and the course of circulation is from the chamber 32 to pump 35, from pump to interior of chamber 33, thence through the material to tank G. Then the material has the wash water successively drawn through it and pressed through it.

When desired the valve 35 may be operated to open communication between the.

pump. and drain and water will therefore be drawn through the material passing over chamber 32 into the pump and thence to the drain. 35 is a pipe allowing communication between chamber 32 and an air pump, which air pump may be installed for exhausting the chamber 32 of air if necessary in any operation. The container then proceeds around the guide rollers 39 to the rollers 5 and 6 which squeeze the surplus wash water therefrom, this water falling back into tank C.

To guard against any slipping on the guide rollers 39 some of them may be positively driven by means of a chain 39 passing around chain wheels fitted on the said guide rollers and driven by a sprocket on roller 6.

The operation of dyeing and. washing off being now completed the conveyors 1 and 3 diverge and pass back to the feeding point of the apparatus over their respective guide .rollers as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the

material being removed from them at their point of divergence by rotary brushes 40 driven in any convenient manner and preferably composed of wooden rollers having stiff leather doctors 410 fitted radially or nearly radially thereto. The brushes may, however, be of any other suitable form; for instance they may be composed of bristles not radially or otherwise in the wooden rollers. 11 is a conduit into which the material falls as it is brushed from the conveyors, being drawn thereinto by a fan 42 by which the material may be propelled by any suitable conduit to the drying chamber, the whole process from the feedingof the laps to the apparatus to the removal of the dyed material to the drying chamber being thus continuous.

In the dyeing of oxidation colours, e. g., 1nd1go blue, where the colour is developed and fixed on the material by exposure to the atmosphere of the material after the dyeing operation, the process may be followed exactly as described above'in tank A. The tank B however, would be fitted up exactly as tank C is shown in the drawings, that is I with chambers 32 and 33 guides and guide rollers and the tank would be kept empty of liquor. After passing the squeezing rollers 17 the container and material would pass around the guide rollers and over the chambers in tank B equivalent to chambers 32 and 33 shown in the drawings, tank C, but which chambers would be in communication with a rotary air pump. The same procedure would be followed as described above in connection with the washing of! with the difference that the treatment would be with air. The long traverse given to the container by the arrangement of guide pulleys would in this instance be favourable to the oxidizing process, as the material, even when not being treated by the air pump, is exposed to the air for a considerable eriod before it enters the washing ofit' tank through the rollers. This long traverse it may be noted is also beneficial 1n the washing ofl' process in tank C.

For use in dyeing with the azo colours, or other developing colours or in any other operation where a short period of treatment with liquor is necessary after that afforded by the passage of the material around the cylinders 22 and 29, the azotizing or developing operation may be carried out in tank B. In this tank B as shown in the drawings, 30

is a closed chamber havi g a flat perforatedtop 30 and divided by a artition 30 and ressure rollers 31 arrang as shown to eep the container in tight co tact with the said top. When making use of this chamber 30 the container proceeds from the squeezing rollers 17 and over the flat top of the chamber the tank B being filled with the liquor. A pump 43 driven from suitable strap gearing 44 is in communication by pipe 45 with one side of the closed chamber 30, and by pipe 46 with the other side. Operation of the pump 43 draws dye liquor from the tank B through the material and into one side of the closed chamber 30 via the perforations in the fiat top 30, this liquor being then forced by the pump into the other side of the chamber and through the material back to the tank, the treatment being thus analogous to that received by material passing around cylinders 22 and 29 when those cylinders are used. But the chamber 30 may be a single undivided chamber, and the process may be the same as with the cylinders 22 and 29, the perforated flat top of chamber 30 being substituted for the perforated peripheries of the cylinders 22 and 29.

It is essential with conveyors such as 1 and 3 used in connection with this apparatus that they should be kept at a constant tension,

" a and provision must therefore be made to prevent the possibility of too much tension being put upon them at any time. We therefore provide a'friction drive as shown at 21, between the shaft 18 and the bevel pinion 20 see Figures 1 and 2. Anything which.

may tend to slow the rollers 2-4, 5-6, 17-17 and 17-'-17, therefore will not tend to tear the container, the friction disc 21 allowing the necessary slip and the drive being thus equalized.

Guide rails of U-section may be provided throughout the interior of the tanks to ensure that the container shall follow a straight path therethrough, the edges of the container, strengthened if necessary, engaging in the guide rails. Or as shown in Figures 6 and 7 where the container is seen in section passing over the fiat top of casing 30 in tank B, the longitudinal edges of the conveyors 1 and 3 may be provided with ropes or cables 44, and a pair of pulleys 45, 46 fitted as shown in that figure, and more clearly in the detail thereto, the ropes 44 engaging within the grooves of the pulleys. In all cases however, the guides will be so fitted that a tightjoint between the container 13 and the cylinder 22 and 29, or the casing 30, or the casings 33 and 34 will not be endangered. Combined with the apparatus we may provide the automatic dye feed arrange-- the liquid and travelling around chain 7 wheels 51 fitted upon rollers 52 the upper one of which is driven from the shaft 18 (Figure 1) of the apparatus at any predetermined speed, carry the dye liquor to the top of the tank and on their, passage around the upper chain wheel 51, empty their contents into a tundish 53 and through a pipe 54 to the dye tank which by way of example may be the tank A. Stoppage of the main drive of the apparatus will therefore involve the stoppage of the dye liquor feed, and further, the quantity of dye liquor required for any particular weight of material passing through the apparatus being determined, very exact calculations as to the rate of feed of dye liquor may be arrived at and the dye feed arrangment set at the necessary speed. In the general'purpose apparatus shown inthe drawings Figures 1 and 2 both tanks A and B may be provided with such dye feed arrangments separately, or an additional pipe may be led from the pipe 54 (Figure 8) to the second tank, a three-way valve controlling the supply of dye liquor to tank A'or as restitching or. other .convenient--me'ans In the drawing :they are secured by means f llt) of the rivets. Any material may be used for the conveyor so long as it will whilst holding securely thematerial to be treated, allow passage of liquor and air therethrou h.

Alt ough we have shown an apparatus having three tanks A B and C, it is obvious that we ma modify the apparatus. Tank A, or tank may beomitted altogether, or further tanks may be added as required. Also, one only, or more than two, perforated cylinders may be fitted in tank A, and more than oneclosed casing be fitted in tank B. -Further only one closed casing, of appropriate dimensions, may be fitted in tank C. Or all the tanks may be fitted with perforated cylinders such as 22 and 29,or may be all fitted with closed flat topped perforated chambers as shown at 30 in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings divided or single.

It will be obvious that any process may be carried out by ,means of apparatus as described, with the necessary, addition or deletion of tanks. Details of construction may also be varied within wide limits withoutdeparting from the spirit of our invention.

What we claim as our invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. Apparatus for treating textile material in the loose state before spinning, comprising tanks, perforated members in said tanks, means for confining a fluid adjacent to said perforated members, means for holding and traversing the material to be treated in contact With said perforated members, and means for causing a fluid confined within said confining means to pass forcibly through the material and through the perforations of said members.

2. The combination with an apparatus as set forth in claim 1, of a feed table disposed at the receiving end of the holding and traversing means, bearings carried by said. table for supporting a plurality of rotatable material-carrying laps, and means carried by the table for conveying the material from the successive laps in superposed relation and delivering said material to said holding and traversing means.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands.

' JOHN BRANDWOOD.

THOMAS BRANDWOOD. JOSEPH BRANDWOOD. 

